Headlines and Business Risk: How We Stay Aligned

Geopolitical upheaval, simmering trade wars, and shifting regulatory and legal norms demand thoughtful recalibration of business risks. They also require diligence and investigative capabilities that are agile and up-to-date.

Our deep bench of subject matter experts strives to ensure that our global reach, geopolitical savvy, and menu of products and services remain best-in-class and aligned with the times. We’re proud of our team and impressed by their desire to stay on top of developments worldwide. This month, we pulsed them for a few current, real-world examples of how this is playing out day to day in our work. Here’s what they told us:

— Disruptions for global businesses growing out of the US-China trade war are creating intense challenges for supply chain managers. The implementation of hefty tariffs is forcing firms to scramble for contingencies for relocating factories and distribution centers. We’ve seen an escalation of requests for thorough, timely diligence on new locales and third-party vendors, partners, and suppliers. Whether it’s high-volume screening or deep-dive, full-service diligence on entities in operating environments that are new to our clients, we’ve got the products and global reach to stay ahead of the curve.

— Political dislocations in Venezuela that are affecting regional cross-border trade and threatening oil sanctions pose complex risks for companies operating in affected sectors. Caracas’ battles with major energy titans — and the potential effects of a ban on US imports from the third-biggest oil supplier — make clear that businesses are more poorly insulated than ever from geopolitical ferment. Unearthing hard-to-find data in jurisdictions where opacity reigns and sustaining access to on-ground source intelligence from Latin America is essential for any firm with exposure to this region.

— The burgeoning cannabis market — recent data valued the 2016 global market at $7.7 billion with estimates predicting growth to $65 billion by 2023 — is inspiring wave after wave of startups. Not unexpectedly, bigger players are moving into the business as financial institutions struggle to balance lingering legal ambiguities with tremendous upside opportunity. We’re seeing a quickening pace of requests for help navigating a sector that barely existed a few years ago as the rate of consolidations and mergers accelerates. Needless to say, the old adage, “Do your due diligence!” applies more than ever with this new market offering.

It’s not always easy to stay on top of breaking news and make sense of what it means for our clients, but we know it’s essential to stay savvy about and responsive to the changing realities on the ground. Contact us with your questions or to learn more about how we can help.